And the Holland international, who has joined the Cottagers on a short-term deal from Besiktas until May, says he has “unfinished business” in the Premier League.

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Ryan Babel has said that broken promises are the reason he struggled at LiverpoolCredit: AP:Associated Press

Babel, 32, who spent three-and-a-half years at Anfield after arriving from Ajax in an £11.5million deal 2007, said: “I wanted to develop well and, as they promised me back then before I joined, just to be given the guidance I needed to improve.

“That didn’t happen and for a lot of different reasons I didn’t fulfil my potential, I guess.

“I had been living with my parents so it was the first time living abroad and by myself.

“There are a lot of things coming at you at the same time — different country, different culture.

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Babel has previously said he was 'badly coached' by Rafa BenitezCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd

“I came from Ajax where you play 4-3-3 mostly and as a winger they didn’t want you to defend too far back. In the English game you’re not a winger you’re a left midfielder, so you have to help your full-back.

“Those were the things that I was struggling with, especially in my first year, and in my opinion I don’t think they taught me how to manage that properly and be smart with situations. I had to find out myself.”

Babel previously claimed he was “badly coached” by Rafa Benitez, the Liverpool boss who signed him, and his staff.

Things did not improve for Babel after Benitez was sacked in 2010 — and he was eventually sold when Kenny Dalglish took over as boss in 2011.

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Babel had bags of potential but never lived up to the hype for the RedsCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

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